In the glass

Full-bodiedMedium tanninHigh acidityDryLong finish

Aroma: dried apricot, orange peel, almond, hay, saline

Palate: candied citrus, yellow plum, tea tannin, saline finish

The Bensa family's extended-maceration Ribolla, one of the four founding Oslavia orange-wine cellars alongside Gravner, Radikon and Damijan Podversic. Dried apricot, orange peel and almond over a tea-tannin finish.

What it pairs with

  • Prosciutto di San Daniele
    Friulian air-cured ham finds a peer in the wine's saline edge and almond core; the regional pairing.
  • Frico con patate
    Friulian Montasio and potato cake echoes the wine's nutty depth; tea tannin scrubs the cheese fat.
  • Risotto al tartufo nero
    Almond and hay aromatics meet the truffle's musky depth; full body holds the Carnaroli starch.

History

The Bensa brothers (Giorgio and Nicolò) launched the extended-maceration Ribolla programme in the late 1990s. La Castellada sits across the Oslavia ridge from Gravner and Radikon, the third of the founding orange-wine cellars.

  1. 1997 — First extended-maceration Ribolla vintage

Facts

Producer
La Castellada
Grapes
Ribolla Gialla (100%)
Classification
Venezia Giulia IGT
Oak
Fermented on the skins in open Slavonian oak vats for several weeks, then aged around three years in large Slavonian oak botti before bottling
ABV
13.0%
Price
EUR 50 to 75 at retail
Drinking window
3-15 from vintage
First vintage
1997
Organic
ORGANIC CERTIFIED
Vegan
Yes (no animal-derived fining)

Frequently asked about La Castellada Ribolla Gialla

What does La Castellada Ribolla taste like?

Dried apricot, orange peel, almond, hay and saline on the nose; candied citrus, yellow plum, tea tannin and a saline finish on the palate. Full-bodied with medium tannin and high acidity from extended skin contact.

How does La Castellada relate to Gravner and Radikon?

La Castellada sits on the same Oslavia ponca ridge as Gravner and Radikon. The Bensa brothers founded the extended-maceration programme in the late 1990s, making them the third of the four founding Oslavia orange-wine cellars.

When should I drink La Castellada Ribolla?

Drink between 3 and 15 years from vintage. The wine reaches an aromatic plateau at year 5 to 8; the tea tannin softens with age.

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